12 January, 2009

Mahalla textile workers stage sit-in, threatening to strike

El-badeel reports that 1000 workers at Misr Spinning and Weaving in Mahalla el-Kubra staged at sit in yesterday at the local trade union office. They demanded an end to the arbitrary punishment of workers who took part in a anti-privatization protest at the factory on 30 October last year (click pic below for at set on flickr of that protest). Within days after that action, five leading activists were transfered to other branches of the company. According to the report, the workers pledged to remain at the trade union office for three days, and are threatening escalating action including a full strike if their demands are not met.